By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Casino Del Sol announced that Vahi Taa’am, its newest casino at Grant Road and Interstate 10 in Tucson, will open to the public on Nov. 15.
Read more Casino Del Sol’s newest casino to open Nov. 15
The casino was set to open Nov. 11, and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe did not give a reason for the delay.
While it has been delayed a bit, it is still earlier than the original opening date of early 2027, which was set when the Pascua Yaqui announced the project.
The facility reached a major milestone in January 2025 when crews broke ground, and in June 2025 when the final structural steel beam was installed. You can watch our story from the June milestone in the player above.
The 73,000-square-foot casino is located off Interstate 10 and will feature dining options and a multi-level parking garage.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Monday, June 9, 2025, marked the completion of the structural build, with tribal leadership, project partners, and community members all signing the final beam before its installation.
“Just you know, a boost to the economy. A lot of excitement and fun for the community, and you know, we’re just very excited to have another Casino Del Sol,” said Amanda Lomayesva, interim CEO of Casino Del Sol.
The build is expected to be finished by November 2026.
Lomayesva said the new casino will create 1,000 jobs and is seen as a transformative investment for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and the benefits will be far-reaching.
“It’s going to create a lot of jobs. It’s going to create economic opportunities,” Lomayesva said. “Jobs for the Pascua Yaqui Tribal members, but also for Tucson.”
Read more Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, citing progress in negotiations
Lomayesva said they have created a great working relationship with the city of Tucson to get things done, despite the land being a part of the reservation.
This is thanks in part to the late Congressman Raul Grijalva, who introduced the “Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act,” which was eventually signed into law in 2022.
“What we heard repeatedly from the leadership here at Pascua Yaqui, is what they want to be able to do is be safe and sustainable, and have all of this revenue, they can support their own initiatives. And that’s critical,” said Grijalva’s daughter, Adelita.
She said the project will continue to help tribal sovereignty, as the law her father pushed for directed the Department of the Interior to take tribally owned lands in Pima County into trust for the benefit of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, making it a part of the reservation, allowing gaming on those lands.“
“This is a nation-to-nation conversation, and I think that the more we can appreciate tribal sovereignty, understand it, honor it, a better community we will be,” Adelita said.
There is some concern online from members of the community about the casino, from traffic along Grant, but Lomayesva said they continue to work with partners and the community to ensure the best result possible.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more Man accused of trying to light Phoenix apartment on fire after receiving eviction notice
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.